Rosamond Gifford Zoo announces birth of Chinese muntjac fawn

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo announced the birth of a Chinese muntjac fawn, Fang. He is the first muntjac fawn born in Syracuse in 15 years.

Fang was born on May 16 to parents Katara and Walter, their first fawn.

â??The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is excited to welcome the first muntjac fawn in 15 years,â?? said Ted Fox, zoo director. â??This fawn is a testament to the zooâ??s dedication to caring for muntjacs and cultivating an environment in which they can thrive.â??

The zoo says Fang is currently on exhibit with his mother, father and an unrelated male.

Muntjacs are often referred to as â??barking deerâ?? because they make a sharp, bark-like sound to warn other muntjacs of danger, and during mating season.

Chinese muntjacs are members of the deer family and are native to the forests of southeastern China and Taiwan. They eat low-growing vegetation, fruit and nuts. The zoo says Chinese muntjacs stand less than 20 inches tall and can weigh up to 3o pounds.

Male muntjacs tend to fight for territory with tusks, which are downward-pointing canine teeth.

The zoo says muntjacs are the oldest known deer. Fossilized remains from 15 to 35 million years ago have been recorded, making the species of great interest to evolutionary studies.